NCLO vs. BCLO

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

NCLO (Nuveen AA-BBB CLO ETF) and BCLO (iShares BBB-B CLO Active ETF) are both CLO funds - NCLO tracks the JP Morgan CLO A Index while BCLO tracks the JP Morgan CLOIE High Quality Mezzanine Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past year, NCLO returned 5.90% vs 6.72% for BCLO. At a 0.08 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. NCLO charges 0.26%/yr vs 0.45%/yr for BCLO.

Performance

NCLO vs. BCLO - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Nuveen AA-BBB CLO ETF (NCLO) and iShares BBB-B CLO Active ETF (BCLO). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, NCLO achieves a 1.96% return, which is significantly lower than BCLO's 2.79% return.

NCLO

• 1D: -0.16%
• 1M: 0.61%
• YTD: 1.96%
• 6M: 2.57%
• 1Y: 5.90%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

BCLO

• 1D: 0.05%
• 1M: 1.24%
• YTD: 2.79%
• 6M: 3.32%
• 1Y: 6.72%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

NCLO vs. BCLO - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
NCLO Nuveen AA-BBB CLO ETF	1.96%	5.54%
BCLO iShares BBB-B CLO Active ETF	2.79%	5.43%

Correlation

The correlation between NCLO and BCLO is -0.03, meaning there is essentially no relationship between their price movements. Each responds to its own set of market drivers, making them strong candidates for combining in a diversified portfolio.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	-0.03
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 31, 2025	0.08

The correlation between NCLO and BCLO shifts across timeframes, from -0.03 (1 year) to 0.08 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

NCLO vs. BCLO — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.

NCLO

NCLO Risk / Return Rank: 54
NCLO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 46
NCLO Sortino Ratio Rank: 41
NCLO Omega Ratio Rank: 77
NCLO Calmar Ratio Rank: 39
NCLO Martin Ratio Rank: 69

BCLO

BCLO Risk / Return Rank: 85
BCLO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 92
BCLO Sortino Ratio Rank: 95
BCLO Omega Ratio Rank: 97
BCLO Calmar Ratio Rank: 71
BCLO Martin Ratio Rank: 69

The rank (0–100) shows how this investment's returns compare to the risk taken. Higher = better. Based on the past 12 months of data, combining Sharpe, Sortino, and other metrics used by quantitative funds and institutional investors.

NCLO vs. BCLO - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Nuveen AA-BBB CLO ETF (NCLO) and iShares BBB-B CLO Active ETF (BCLO). Risk-adjusted metrics are performance indicators that assess an investment's returns in relation to its risk, enabling a more accurate comparison of different investment options.

	NCLO	BCLO	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.63	3.33	-1.71
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.08	5.29	-3.21
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.46	1.86	-0.40
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.94	3.52	-1.58
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	12.85	13.00	-0.16
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

NCLO vs. BCLO - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current NCLO Sharpe Ratio is 1.63, which is lower than the BCLO Sharpe Ratio of 3.33. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of NCLO and BCLO, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	NCLO	BCLO	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.63	3.33	-1.71
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.59	1.42	+0.17

Drawdowns

NCLO vs. BCLO - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum NCLO drawdown since its inception was -3.05%, smaller than the maximum BCLO drawdown of -4.45%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for NCLO and BCLO.

Drawdown Indicators

	NCLO	BCLO	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-3.05%	-4.45%	+1.40%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-3.05%	-1.92%	-1.13%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.35%	0.00%	-0.35%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.20%	-0.40%	+0.20%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.46%	0.52%	-0.06%

Volatility

NCLO vs. BCLO - Volatility Comparison

Nuveen AA-BBB CLO ETF (NCLO) has a higher volatility of 1.14% compared to iShares BBB-B CLO Active ETF (BCLO) at 0.48%. This indicates that NCLO's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than BCLO based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	NCLO	BCLO	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.14%	0.48%	+0.66%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	3.46%	1.65%	+1.81%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.64%	2.03%	+1.61%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	3.72%	4.39%	-0.67%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	3.72%	4.39%	-0.67%

NCLO vs. BCLO - Expense Ratio Comparison

NCLO has a 0.26% expense ratio, which is lower than BCLO's 0.45% expense ratio.

Dividends

NCLO vs. BCLO - Dividend Comparison

NCLO's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 5.78%, less than BCLO's 6.59% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024
BCLO iShares BBB-B CLO Active ETF	6.59%	6.45%	0.00%
NCLO Nuveen AA-BBB CLO ETF	5.78%	6.09%	0.35%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both NCLO and BCLO in my portfolio?

NCLO and BCLO have a correlation of -0.03, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, NCLO or BCLO?

NCLO has higher volatility (1.14%) compared to BCLO (0.48%). In terms of maximum drawdown, NCLO dropped -3.05% vs BCLO's -4.45%.

Which ETF is better, NCLO or BCLO?

On 1-year performance, BCLO leads with 6.72% vs 5.90% for NCLO. On fees, NCLO is cheaper at 0.26% per year. On volatility, BCLO has been the lower-risk option at 0.48%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, NCLO or BCLO?

Over the 1-year period, BCLO has performed better with a 6.72% return vs 5.90%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, NCLO or BCLO?

NCLO is cheaper with a 0.26% expense ratio, compared with 0.45% for BCLO.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, NCLO or BCLO?

BCLO has the higher dividend yield at 6.59%, compared with 5.78% for NCLO.

What is the main difference between NCLO and BCLO?

NCLO tracks JP Morgan CLO A Index, while BCLO tracks JP Morgan CLOIE High Quality Mezzanine Index. They also come from different issuers: Nuveen and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.26% for NCLO and 0.45% for BCLO.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

BCLO currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.33 vs 1.63), meaning it's delivered slightly more return per unit of risk over the trailing 12 months. However, this ranking shifts over time - use the Risk/Return Score above for a more comprehensive view that combines Sharpe, Sortino, and other measures used by quantitative funds.